How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor cleaners maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot floor cleaner does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

best robot vacuum black friday for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot hoover combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.